Resuscitator



Patented Oct. 4, 1949 RESUSCITATOB Monroe Harry Goodner, Glendale, alif., olaignor to Stephenson Corporation, Red Bank, N. 1., a corporation of New J erley Application October 24, I947, Serial No. 781,803

25 Claims. (Cl. 128-28) This invention relates to artificial breathing devices, and more particularly to resuscitators, inhaiators, and the like.

This application is a continuation in part of prior filed co-pending application Serial No. 756,839, for resuscitators, filed June 25, 1947.

An object of the invention is to improve artii'icial breathing devices and apparatus, and devices for producing artificial respiration. Another object is to improve devices for administering oxygen or other gases to a human being or an animal with the application of pressure variations or alternations to induce artificial respiration or to promote breathing. A further object is to improve devices for administering gas such as oxygen, air, or other gases to facilitate breathing or for other purposes.

An additional object is to provide a compact and portable resuscitator or resuscitator and inhalator device, which may be attached directly to an oxygen mask. A further object is to provide a compact, portable device which is capable of alternately applying positive and negative gas pressures to a patient to induce an artificial action similar to the patients natural breathing. Another object is to provide a device for use in aiding human beings or animals in instances where breathing is hindered or requires artificial aid or stimulation such as in cases of asphyxiation, caused by accident, sickness, drowning, gas asphyxiation, poliomyelitis, or the like.

A still further object is to provide a device which is capable of use as an inhalator to supply a relativel constant flow of oxygen, air, or other gas to a patient.

Another object is to provide a compact oxygen or gas administering device having means for mixing the gas being administered with another gas, such as air, and for varying or adjusting the proportions of each. A further object is to provide a device for producing artificial respiration and for adjusting or varying the rate or periodicity of such respiration.

Yet another object is to improve artificial breathing and gas administering devices and the parts thereof, such as valves, pressure regulating members, metering devices, gas mixing Jets and chambers, control elements, gas conduits and other parts. Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings taken in connection with the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown by way oi illustration several possible embodiments of my invention;

Figure l is a top view of a resuscitator and inhalator embodying features of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 1-! of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a diametral section of the device taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary section of the device together with a longitudinal section oi a gas supply hose and the coupling members therefor associated with the device;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section of a gas supply coupling and valve assembly to which the hose coupling of Figure 5 maybe connected;

Figure 7 is an end view of a valve closure element comprising part of the device shown in Figures 1 toi:

Figure 8 is a face view of a pliable washer comprising part of the valve assembly of the device;

Figure 9 is a section on the line 9-8 of Figure 5 showing the details of the locking arrangement for the hose coupling;

Figure 10 is a section similar to that of Figure 9 showing the locking arrangement actuated to permit unlatchlng of the hose coupling.

While features of the present invention have more general application, the invention has its preferred embodiment in a relatively small, compact, portable device which -is preferably arranged for direct connection to a gas administering mask arranged for positioning over a patients face, or nose and mouth, to administer omgen, air, or other gas for inducing or promoting respiration, aiding breathing or other purposes. It is obvious, however, that many variations of construction can be made without departing from the invention, such as changes in shape and construction of the parts, the inclusion of a flexible hose or other coupling between the device and the mask, and the elimination of the means to convert the device into an inhalator, where such arrangement is not required.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention is described herein, it is contemplated that considerable variation may be made in the metho of procedure and the construction of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the following description and in the claims, parts will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application to similar parts as the art will permit.

Referring to the drawings, the resuscitator and inhalator shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises, in general, a substantially cylindrical sheet metal casing formed of a short section of sheet metal tubing H provided with a pair of generally rounded or dome-shaped ends l2 and ii, the end I! having its center drawn out into a tubular section ll which is fitted into a tubular ferrule ll comprising part or gas administering mask l8. Gas is supplied to the device through a gas inlet coupling assembly l1 to which is coupled a gas supply hose it (Figure 5) connected to a source of regulated gas supply. In some instances the device can be of a relatively small size, for example, a resuscitator and inhalator constructed as shown in the drawings has been made having a diameter of only 2% inches, and weighing eight ounces.

Tubular portion ii of the casing comprises a short piece of thin-walled tubing externally threaded at each end. While the device may be used in any position, end wall II will be described. for convenience, as the top of the device. End wall i2 comprises a dome-shaped pressed sheet metal cap having a cylindrical internallythreaded flange I! at its outer edge adapted to screw onto the upper end of tubular section Ii. A round central opening is provided in top wall II, the material of the wall bordering on the opening being curved inward to provide a smooth- 1y contoured recess or wall 2|.

Bottom wall I! carries a flange 22 its outer edge formed similarly to flange It to screw onto the lower end of tubular casing wall ii and the center of dome-shaped bottom wall it is drawn out to form tubular section ll of a relatively large diameter projecting axially outward from the unit.

Mask It may be of conventional form and construction and may be made, for example, of sheet plastic material moulded or formed into the desired shape to be fitted over a persons face or the nose and mouth regions, and may be provided with a border member of soft rubber, or an inflated rubber ring member, not shown. Ferrule it comprises a section of metal tubing which is permanently crimped into the central aperture in the mask as shown in Figure 4 by drawing annular flange 25 around the ferrule at an intermediate point to provide a folded external shoulder for engaging the outer face of the mask and spinning the lower end of ferrule outwardly to provide a second flange 26 which engages the inside face of the mask thereby clamping the ferrule securely in the mask aperture.

A pair of diaphragm comprising an upper diaphragm 21 and a lower diaphragm 28 are clamped in horizontal position within the casing, dividing it horizontally into three chambers, namely an upper chamber 29, a middle chamber 30 and a lower chamber 3|. Diaphragms 21 and 2| may be formed of any suitable flexible impervious material such as impregnated cloth, or thin corrugated metal. They are clamped on at their outer circular edges between clamping members 32 and I3, and 34 and 35 respectively, which members in turn are clamped between ends of tubular casing wall II and upper and lower end walls i2 and i3. Clamping rings 22 and II are provided with beveled surfaces to match the inner dome-shaped faces of end walls i2 and i3 respectively and have their other faces adapted to clamp against the outer faces of the diaphragms. Members 31 and III comprise flat ring washers which rest against the ends of tubular casing section II and clamp against the inner faces of the diaphragms at their outer edges.

A valve housing 38 is i'ioatingly carried by diaphragms 21 and 2B, the valve housing being suspended between the centers of the diaphragms. Housing It comprises a-metal casting provided with suitable gas passages and a valve cylinder 21 in which a slidable valve closure element 2! is carried. The valve housing II also carries a venturi II and the valve assembly 31, ll serves to direct gas through suitable passages in the housing II to the venturi for purposes of supplying positive and negative gas pressures to the patient, as will be more fully described.

Diaphragms 21 and 2| each have central apertures and are each clamped in their central areas by a pair of clamping washers or discs. For example, diaphragm 21 is clamped between circular metal washers M and Ii which are held against the two faces of the diaphragm and which have central openings registering with the central opening in the diaphragm. Diaphragm 28 is similarly clamped between washers 42 and 42. The upper end of floating valve housing 38 has an external projection ll which extends through the central aperture provided in diaphragm 21 and clamp washers l0 and ii and a hollow internally threaded screw cap 48 is screwed onto end 45 thereby clamping the upper end of housing 38 in the central opening in the diaphragm. Hollow screw cap 48 is provided with a screwdriver slot 41 to permit ready assembly. The lower end of housing 36 carries threaded axial projection It which extends downward through the central aperture provided in diaphragm 28 and is clamped thereto by clamp nut 49 which is tightened against lower clamp washer 42. An internally threaded lower cap 65 is screwed onto projection 4!. Cap has an integral circular flange I" which extends to within a short distance of the inside wall oi. tubular portion I4 and is provided with perforations I68 so that the flange protects the inside of the casing from the entrance of foreign particles and still permits free gas passage through and around the flange. A screwdriver slot I61 on cap 8! permits ready removal for cleaning the Venturi passages.

Diaphragms 21 and 28 provide the only support or suspension for floating valve housing 35 but it is connected by a section of flexible rubber or plastic tubing 50 (Figure 3) to gas coupling assembly l1 in order to convey gas from the supply source to the floating valve housing. In addition, a valve control arm Ii comprising a straight piece of spring metal rod is rigidly supported in the casting of gas coupling assembly i1 and extends axially through gas supply tube It and the gas passage 52 of gas inlet nipple 53 comprising part of valve housing 38, into cylinder 31 where the end of valve control arm ii is received in central hole 54 in valve closure element It. so that element is is supported by spring arm 5|.

Valve cylinder 81 has its axis parallel to the axis oi the device and hence parallel to the direction of motion of floating valve housing 38 as diaphragms 21 and 28 are flexed. Gas inlet passage 52 enters cylinder 31 in the mid-portion of its cylindrical side wall. The bottom wall of cylinder 31 is provided with an annular ridge II surrounding gas passage section 56c which together with sections 5811 and tie makes up a gas passage leading from the valve to chamber I1 inside cap 46. A plate 58 carrying an annular ridge II similar to ridge 5! is screwed into the internally-threaded upper end of valve cylinder H and seats against a shoulder at the lower end of the threaded section to provide a second valve seat. Plate 58 has a central opening in leading into a small chamber 8| above the plate which is closed by a screw cap 82 threaded into the top oi the cylinder. A gas passage 63 made up of sections Ola and 63b drilled through the casting forming housing II extends down to lower end I! of the casting communic'ating with a small chamber 84 inside lower cap 65 which is threaded onto the externallythreaded lower end I. of the casting, as clearly seen in Figure 4.

Valve closure element It comprises a sliding metal block of generally rectangular shape having annular ridges 86 and II on its upper and lower faces opposing ridges l8 and II respectively at the ends of the cylinder. As seen most clearly in Figure '1 the four corners or block 38 are rounded oil to provide cylindrical bearing portions which can slide on the inside cylindrical wall of cylinder 31 while still permitting gas to freely pass around the element 18 trom gas inlet passage 52. Element 38 is drilled with a central transverse passage 54 which is of reduced diameter at its mid-portion to form a loose socket into which the end of valve control arm extends as seen in Figure 3.

Intel-posed between element 38 and stationary valve seat ridges I! and it are a pair 01' flexible washers 6! and Hi having a generally rectangular shape with the corners cut oil to provide cylindrical bearing surfaces engaging the inside wall of cylinder 3! as shown in Figure 8. It will be evident that valve closure element 38 is suspended on control arm ii in a relatively stationary position so that as floating valve housing 38 moves up and down in response to motion of diaphragms 21 and 2!! element 38 will be shifted into contact with one or the other of washers 69 and Ill, these washers in turn being held against ridges 59 and 55 to cut off the gas flow through one or the other of passages 83 and 58. Valve control arm BI is suiilciently resilient, however, to permit it to yield slightly so that, as long as the gas pressure in cylinder 31 exceeds that in the passage which is closed by element 38 by an amount sufliclent to overcome the restoring force of spring arm 5|, the valve will remain closed. However, when the movement of housing 86 has been suflicient to build up a restoring force equal to the gas pressure the valve will suddenly be snapped from one end 01' the cylinder to the other, thereby to open one passage and close the other.

Casting 36 comprising the valve housing is drilled along one side to provide a Venturi passage 39 having one end opening into the middle chamber 30 between diaphragms 21 and 28 and the other end opening into gas administering chamber 3i beneath diaphragm 28. Holes are also drilled in casting 36 from both the upper and lower ends in alignment with the Venturi passage and a pair of tubes II and 12 are amxed in these holes to provide Jet passages of the required diameter extending .irom chambers 51 and 64 respectively. The material of casting 36 is cut away in a smoothly rounded manner at the ends of venturi 39 to deflect gases issuing from the venturi while still permitting either of Jet tubes TI and T2 to project a jet 0! gas into the venturi on the opposite cycle.

A helical compression spring I; is interposed between upper clamp plate 40 which is clamped against the top face 01' upper diaphragm I1 and the inside or casing top member I 2 surrounding aperture 20 to apply a downward bias to the assembly oi! diaphragms and floating housing 38. This bias normally holds closure element 38 and washer is against valve seat It at the upper end of cylinder 81 so that passage 63 leading to Jet 12 will be closed at the start or operation while passage I6 leading to Jet II will be open so that when gas is first supplied Jet Ii will come into operation to project the gas downward through venturi 38 from chamber to chamber Ii. Upper chamber 29 is open to the atmosphere by virtue of the space between central opening 20 and cap 46 and the presence of additional vent holes II.

An adjustable gas vent is provided in wall H or middle chamber 30 comprising a slot 15 out part way around wall H and a threaded ring It which is threaded onto the upper threaded portion of cylindrical wall ll below flange ll of the top wall. Ring 16 is provided with a slot 11 corresponding to slot II in the casing wall and the outer surface or the ring is knurled to permit the ring to be turned manually to bring slot 11 into register with slot II to a greater or lesser extent. A short pin ll extends in from ring it through slot It to limit the rotation of the ring to a few degrees in either direction. When ring II is turned to one extreme slot II will be closed by the ring while at the other extreme a passage for the entrance and exit of air or other gases is provided by the aligned slots II and 11.

A one-way valve is is also provided in the wall oi chamber 30 and comprises a hollow screw 80 having a gas passage ll extending through its stem, the inner end oi the stem being notched at B2 to prevent closure of the passage. Screw 80 passes inward through wall II and screws into a small valve chamber 83 containing a rectangular valve disc 84 of mica or other light sheet material which seats against an annular ridge I5 surrounding an opening 88 leading from the valve chamber into chamber 80. When the gas pressure outside chamber 30 exceeds the pressure inside disc will be pressed against ridge 85 to close the valve and prevent entrance of air through the valve. However, when the gas pressure inside the chamber exceeds that outside, disc 84 will be moved away from the ridge to permit air to pass out through chamber 83 and gas passage 8|. Thus air can find access to the chamber 30 only through aligned slots 15 and I1, but gas can leave the chamber through the aligned slots and also through valve ll.

Gas administering chamber Si is provided with a safety valve 01 to release the pressure in chamber 3| if it exceeds a pre-determined value. Valve 81 comprises a circular metal disc having an inturned flange 88 which rests against the outside 01' wall I3. The disc carries a central headed pin 89 which extends into chamber Ii through an opening 80. A conical spring 9| is compressed between the head of pin 88 and the inside face of closure wall It so that the flange ill or the closure disc is normally held by spring pressure against the outer wall of the casing. However, should the internal gas pressure exceed the force of spring 8i, disc I! will be forced outward to allow gas to escape.

Gas coupling assembly ll comprises a metal casting 82 mounted against the inside of cylindrical wall II in middle chamber 30 and having a threaded nipple 93 extending out through an accomodating opening in wall ii. The casting 93 comprising part oi casting 02.

is clamped in the opening by a nut ll threaded onto nipple It and bearing against a washer ll shaped to conform to the outer surface oi wall II. A cylindrical passage It extends into the casting throimh nipple II and terminates in a closed recess. Casting 82 has a side arm I! carrying a branch passage It communicating with cylindrical passage it and the end of side arm 92 carries a nipple OI directed toward nipple It on floating valve housing ll. Flexible tube II is fitted over nipples it and II thereby providing a continuous gas passage to valve chamber II from the outside oi the device through as coupling assembly I1 and tube ll. Valve control arm II extends through the gas passage or nipple II to the intersection with gas passage 98 and is supported at its ilxed end I" in a hole drilled through the wall of arm 81 by a press-lit or by brazing. thereby ailording a rigid support for the fixed end of arm II.

The gas supply hose I8 and coupling members therefor are illustrated in Figures 5, 8, 9 and 10. Hose II is a length or rubber or composition tubing oi any desired length made to withstand the gas pressures involved, which may amount to 20 pounds per square inch, or more. The end of hose I! which is intended to be attached to the resuscitator device is provided with a tubular nipple member Ifli having a corrugated or annularly ribbed portion I02 inserted in the end of tube It, the tube being held tightly compressed against portion It! by a tight-fitting clamp ring or i'errule I. The free end of nipple I" has its internal passage IIM widened out to provide a housing portion III! for a gas valve I which may be a conventional pneumatic tire valve. This comprises a central stem III'I over which is disposed a threaded sleeve III! which is threaded into the internally threaded end of nipple IM. Sleeve I08 carries an annular rounded sealing ring I lit oi rubber or similar material which seats against a complementary shoulder III on the inside of enlarged passage portion I05. A coil spring III urges stem I01 outwardly and the stem carries a small fixed collar II2 having a seat ring N3 of rubber or similar material which can seat against the inner end of sleeve III! to close the valve.

Screw lit is provided in casting 92 extending axially of the cylindrical passage 96 from its closed inner end so that when nipple IIII is inserted in cylindrical passage 96 screw I will engage the outer end of stem III'I pressing it inward against the resistance oi coil spring III to open the valve, thereby permitting gas pressure entering through gas supply hose It to pass into branch passage 98 of the casting and hence through rubber tube 50 to the floating valve housing 36. The inside of cylindrical recess 98 is provided with an annular groove Iii in which is loosely held packing ring lit of rubber or similar material having a circular cross-section and an internal dameter slightly smaller than the outside surface of nipple IIII so that when the nipple is inserted the packing ring is stretched slightly to effect a gas seal between the nipple and the inside wall of cylinder 96.

Nipple IIlI is locked in place after insertion by a collar H1 and a snap spring H8 whose operation is shown most clearly in Figures 9 and 10. Snap spring H8 is generally U-shaped spring which is -held in a small space between the end wall III of collar Ill and the outer end of nipple The nipple 8 carries a pair of projections Ill and Ill on its outer end over which snap sprin III is 'iltted and collar III has an arc-shaped proiecting portion I22 which is normally disposed against the outside surface of projection I20 on the nipple asshowninl'igureil. Inthis positionthetwo side arms of snap spring III lie against the aligned sides oi proiections III and I22 so that these side arms. which are spread apart by nipple IIII when it is first inserted in cylindrical recess It, can snap inward over shoulder I28 provided on nipple III. Snap spring III thereby latches nipple III in place in cylinder it in a position to hold valve I open, thus insuring a gas supply to the distributor valve cylinder 81. A large headed screw I24 is mounted on the face or flange III of the collar, the head of the screw extending into the path of shoulder I28. To close valve "It It is simply necessary to turn collar I", which is suitably knurled to alord a hand grip, so that projection I22 is turned out of alignment with projection I2. on the end of nipple 08 thereby spreading the two side arms of snap spring III suiilci'ently to allow nipple I" III to slide outward thereby moving valve stem Ill away from screw Ill so that the valve will close. However. the head 01' screw I24 prevents oompleteremoval oi nipple III from the recess it so that the members remain connected as longascollar H1 isin place.

A coil spring Ill is seated in tin bottom of cylindrical recess OI surrounding screw I to engage the end of nipple III when it is inserted. This is ior the purpose of aiding in retracting the nipple when snap spring III is opened and in holding the nipple in retracted position until it is intentionally pressed in with sufllcient iorce to overcome the spring resistance and again open the valve. Release of the nipple by snap spring IIB can be effected by rotation of collar I II in either direction.

The supply end of hose I8 is provided with means for connecting it with a source oi gas supply such as the outlet coupling of a pressure regulator attached to a tank 01' oxygen or other gas, or the air pressure nipple leading from an emergency air pump. The hose is also adapted for connection to the auxiliary gas outlet provided on the front of the larger resuscitator described and claimed in myco-pending application Serial No. 756,839 filed June 25, 1947 as shown in Figure 6, of the present application.

The nipple I26 provided at the supply and of the hose is fitted into the end of the hose with a corrugated portion I21 similar to portion I02 oi nipple IBI and the end of the hose is clamped in collar or ferrule I28. Nipple I28 has a cylindrical recess I29 in its outer end communicating with the gas passage I30 extending through the body oi the nipple and a small pin Iii is mounted in the base of recess I28 to engage the stem oi a pneumatic tire valve provided in the coupling of the gas supply source I82 shown in dotted lines in Figure 5. Recess I29 carries a rubber ring packing seal in and a lock collar I which is generally similar in construction to collar Ill and has a lock spring III similar to spring Ill. Thus the nipple I26 can readily be attached to the gas supply coupling and the valve opened to permit the gas to enter the hose.

Figure 6 shows a coupling arrangement for a gas supply unit which, while of general application. is especially well adapted for connection to the auxiliary gas outlet designated by 7 reference numeral "39 in the drawing 01' my aseacos 9 prior flled co-pendlng application mentioned above, and here designated by reference numeral III. The coupling comprises an extension sleeve I" attached by a collar I" to the gas supply outlet Ill and clamping a side tube I" which carries a tire valve Ill to which nipple m oi the gas supply time may be attached. Sleeve III is provided with gas passages leading to side tube I39 and also has a passage leading to the end of the sleeve which is provided with a cap Ill which can be removed when desired to obtain a gas supply for other equipment, such as an aspirator or the like.

Operation In the operation of the device as a resuscitator hose II is connected to a source 01 gas supply, such as oxygen or air. by connecting iemale nipple III to a cooperating male coupling provided on the gas supply source. such as member III of Figure 8. Ii oxygen gas is supplied from a pressure tank it is desirable that a pressure regulator be connected between the tank and the coupling to reduce the gas pressure to a suitable value for use, such as 20 pounds per square inch, and maintain a constant supply of gas at that pressure. It the gas supply coupling is provided with a valve such as "II in Figure 8 the pin. Ill in nipple I28 will engage the stem of the valve to open it and thereby extend the gas pressure through hose I 8 to valve I" at the other end of the hose.

The hose is coupled to the resuscitator by inserting male nipple III into cylindrical recess at of casting 8!. The nipple is first inserted before headed screw I24 is screwed into place in the flange oi collar Ill. Ai'ter screw III is in place the hose coupling nipple I Hi cannot be disconnected from the resuscitator without again removing the screw. However, shoulder I23 oi the nipple can be retracted to a position in contact with the head of screw I24 so that valve I II will remain closed and gas will not be supplied to the resuscitator. When it is desired to start operations, nipple IIII is forced inward against the resistance of spring I25 until spring clip III snaps under shoulder III to latch the nipple in its inner position, screw Ill at the same time opening valve Ill. The gas supply is thereby extended through passage 98 and flexible gas conduit 50 into valve chamber 31 through passage 52.

At the time gas pressure is first supplied to the valve chamber, valve closure element ll will be in contact with washer is seated against valve seat 59 closing gas outlet passage 63 leading to venturi Jet 12 while gas passage It leading to jet II will be open. Gas flow through this passage creates a jet of gas issuing from jet II into the mouth oi venturi It. The venturi and jet combination functions as an injector pump to drive gas downward through the venturi into gas administering chamber 3| and conduit It leading to mask II. 11' slots I5 and 11 are in alignment to provide a gas inlet passage to middle chamber 30, gas issuing from let II will draw with it through the venturi a certain proportion or air. In some cases an amount equal to about three times the amount of gas issuing from the jet so that approximately four times the volume of gas is delivered to chamber SI as issues from let II. If pure oxygen is being supplied to jet ll and air is admitted through slot Ii, the air will dilute the oxygen in the example given to a proportion of 25% oxygen and 10 air. The proportion 01' oxygen to air is regulated by the operator by rotating valve ring I! by hand to close slot 18 to a greater or lesser extent. With slot II entirely closed no air can enter chamber SI and hence the gas passing into chamber II from the venturi will consist 01' pure oxygen. However, the volume of gas passing through the venturi is proportionally reduced as the oxygen concentration is increased. Valve ring III and easing wall II may be provided with cooperating marks or indicia to indicate the percentage of oxygen in the mixture supplied to the patient, since this percentage is proportional to the amount of slot I! which is left open; This indicia can also serve as an approximate indicator of the resuscitators speed since the speed is inversely proportional to the oxygen concentration. Valve It remains closed during this phase oi the cycle as disc II will be held seated against valve seat 85 by the excess of external pressure over the partial vacuum created in chamber 30 by jet II and venturi 39.

The oxygen or ozwgen-air mixture entering gas administering chamber II passes through gas administering conduit II to mask I8 and hence to the patient. The gas pressure will increase in chamber lI at a rate dependent upon the amount of gas issuing from the venturi, the increased pressure gradually lifting diaphragm ll to move valve housing as along with diaphragm 21 upward against the torce oi spring II. Since the gas pressure in valve chamber 31 is much greater than the pressure in valve chamber 8i behind closed valve seat member 58, the closure element will be held against the upper valve seat as by the gas pressure and resilient support arm II will be deflected upward as the diaphragm raises the valve housing. The areas of diaphragm 28 and valve seat is are related to the pressure of the gas supply in such a manner as to permit the restoring force in spring arm SI to overcome the pressure holding element 3! against the valve seat when the pressure in chamber II which is being supplied to the patient reaches pre-determined value, such as one-quarter pound per square inch. Thus, if the gas supply is at a pressure of 20 pounds per square inch the area of diaphragm 28 may be approximately times the area of valve seat us, since 20 pounds per square inch is 80 times onequarter pound per square inch. The bias oi spring I! will change this ratio slightly, increasing the pressure on the patient during the positive phase just described and decreasing the negative pressure slightly on the opposite phase of the cycle.

The ratio of positive to negative gas pressures supplied to the mask can be made of any desired value by adjusting the strength of spring I! and the relative areas of valve seats 59 and 55. Thus, if equal pressures on both phases of the cycle are desired, the area enclosed by valve seat 59 will be made slightly smaller than that of seat 55 to compensate for the pressure added to diaphragm 28 by spring 13. The absolute pressure supplied to the patient can also be made of any desired value by making diaphragm 28 of suitable area with respect to the areas of the valve seats.

When the pressure in chamber 3| being supplied to the patient reaches the predetermined value required to trip valve closure element 30, resilient arm 5| will snap the closure element away from valve seat 59 and move it quickly downward into contact with lower washer III resting l l on valve seat ll. thereby to close gas pamage BO leading to jet Ii and stop the gas flow downward through the venturi. Gas is now permitted to enter chamber ti and thence through passage is to lower jet II which projects a stream of gas upward through the venturi to function as an ejector to remove gas from chamber ii. The jet will draw with it up to three times its own volume of gas and the combined gases will issue into chamber so and from there pass out to the atmosphere through the gas passage provided by aligned slots 18 and I1 and also through one-way valve 1| which will be opened by the excess of internal gas pressure over the atmospheric pressure. 11 slot 1! is completely closed, the only exit for gas will be through one-way valve 19 whose passage Ii is so proportioned in relation to the size of let 12 as to accommodate approximately one-quarter the maximum output of -'venturi 39. Hence when slot II is closed the negative phase will take approximately iour times as long as when slot 15 is open, the same as the positive phase, and hence both negative and positive phases of the respiration cycle remain approximately equal for all settings of valve ring It. When sufllcient gas has been drawn out of chamber It by the ejector let I! the Venturi diaphragm is will be lowered to a point where closure element I8 will be snapped back to its initial position by arm Ii after which the cycle will be repeated.

when it is desired to use the device as an inhalator to supply continuous stream of oxygenair mixture to the patient, the operator presses cap 46 downward with his finger to hold valve closure element is stationary against seat I! thereby providing a constant flow of gas downward through the venturi to the patient. In this operation the percentage of oxygen can alsobe varied by adjusting valve ring 18 and auxiliary valve 19 will remain closed.

While the present invention, as to its objects and advantages, has been described herein as carried out in specific embodiments thereof, it is not desired to be limited thereby but it is intended to cover the invention broadly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A resuscltator comprising a casing, a pair of spaced flexible diaphragms dividing the interior of said easing into three chambers, a floating valve housing suspended by said diaphragm's, said housing having a cylinder therein whose axis is perpendicular to said diaphragms, a gas inlet coupling extending into said casing between said diaphragms and a flexible gas conduit within said casing connecting said inlet coupling to said cylinder, said floating housing carrying a pair of gas passages communicating with the respective ends of said cylinder, a valve closure element slidable in said cylinder and a support arm therefor supported on said inlet coupling and extending through said flexible gas conduit into said cylinder, whereby axial movement of said floating valve housing will shift said valve closure element between the ends of said cylinder, alternatively to close said respective gas passages, said valve housing including a Venturi passage extending between the middle one of said three chambers and a second or said chambers, and a first Venturi jet fed by the one of said gas passages which is closed by movement 01 said valve housing in a direction away from said second chamber and a second Venturi jet fed by the other of said gas passages, said first Venturi jet being directed into said Venturi passage to drive gas from said middle chamher to said second chamber and said second jet being directed into said Venturi passage to drive gas irom said second chamber into said middle chamber, a gas administering conduit extending from said second chamber, said casing having an atmospheric opening into the third of said chambers, and a gas escape valve leading out of said middle chamber.

2. A resuscitate: as claimed in claim 1, in which said casing is apertured over the third of said chambers and said diaphragm and floating valve housing assembly is manually accessible through said aperture to apply a manual bias to said diaphragms and valve housing to hold the second of said valve openings closed by said valve closure element under manual control oi the operator.

3. A resuscitator as claimed in claim 1. in which a manually adjustable vent is provided in an enclosing wall oi said middle chamber.

4. A resuscitator as claimed in claim 1, in which a gas administering mask is coupled directly to said gas administering conduit.

5. A resuscitator as claimed in claim 1, in which a pressure relief valve is provided in an enclosing wail of said second chamber.

6. A resuscitator comprising. in combination, a casing including a gas administering chamber having a wall thereoi' comprising a flexible diaphragm. a valve comprising a housing element having therein a valve chamber and a gas supply passage entering said chamber and first and second gas outlet passages leaving said chamber from opposite ends thereof and having valve seats surrounding said outlet passages, a valve closure element in said chamber movable with respect thereto between said ends alternatively to close said first and second gas outlet passages, one of said elements being coupled to said casing independently of said diaphragm and the other of said elements being coupled to the central area of said diaphragm for movement thereby to shift said valve closure element between the ends of said valve chamber to close said first outlet passage responsive to positive gas pressure in said gas administering chamber and close said second outlet passage responsive to negative gas pressure in said chamber, a gas injector fed by said first outlet passage for injecting gas into said gas administering chamber and a gas ejector for ejecting gas from said chamber fed by said second outlet passage.

7. A resuscitator as claimed in claim 6, in which a spring is included in the coupling between one of said elements and its actuating support, whereby said valve closure element will be held closed against each oi said valve seats by gas pressure in said valve chamber during movement of said diaphragm until the restoring force of said spring overcomes said gas pressure whereupon said valve closure element will be rapidly shifted to the opposite valve seat.

8. A resuscitator as claimed in claim '7. in which said housing element is mounted directly on said diaphragm and said spring comprises a resilient arm supported at one end by said casing and extending into engagement with said valve closure element through said gas supply passage. and a flexible gas supply conduit surrounds said arm and connects to said gas supply passage to supply gas thereto.

9. A resuscitator as claimed in claim 8, in which a second spring is interposed between said diaphragm and said casing to bias said diaphragm toward one end of its stroke in the absence of pp g s pressures.

10. A resuscitator as claimed in claim 9, in which said valve seat which is engaged by said closure element responsive to the bias or said second spring in the absence or gas pressures is smaller in area than the opposite valve seat whereby substantially the same ratios oi gas pressure against said diaphragm to gas pressure against said valve closure element will effect shifting of said element in one direction as in the opposite direction.

11.A resuscitator device comprising an inlet conduit adapted to be connected to a source of gas supply, Venturi means including first and second Jets for creating positive and negative gas pressures respectively, a distributing valve housing having a valve chamber fed by said inlet conduit and having first and second jet supply passages leading to said first and second jets, respectively, and a valve element movable between two positions in said valve chamber for alternatively closing said jet passages, the gas pressure in said valve chamber resisting the opening of the closed valve passage in both positions of said valve element, a gas chamber supplied with positive and negative gas pressures by said Venturi means, one of the walls of said chamber being movable, said valve housing being coupled thereto for control thereby, and a resilient support arm for said valve element mounted independentiy of said valve housing, to shift said valve element from the first to the second of said positions responsive to negative gas pressure in said gas chamber and from the second to the first oi! said positions responsive to positive gas pressure in said gas chamber.

12. A resuscitator comprising, in combination, a hollow casing having a gas administering chamber therein, a flexible diaphragm in said casing comprising a wall of said chamber, a valve housing carried by said diaphragm and having a valve chamber therein, a flexible gas supply conduit leading into said valve chambena gas injector jet directed into said gas administering chamber and a gas ejector jet directed out oi said chamber, said valve housing having first and second gas passages leading from said valve chamber to said jets, respectively, and a shiftable valve closure element in said valve chamber movable with respect to said valve chamber between a first position for closing said first passage and a second position for closing said second passage, a support for said valve closure element mounted in said casing independently of said diaphragm, whereby movement of said valve housing by said diaphragm will shift said closure element.

13. A resuscitator as claimed in claim 12, in which said valve closure element closes said first gas passage responsive to increased gas pressure in said gas administering chamber, and closes said second gas passage responsive to decreased gas pressure in said gas administering chamber.

14. A resuscitator as claimed in claim 13, in which the gas pressure in said valve chamber resists the opening of the valve closure element.

15. A resuscitator as claimed in claim 14, in which said support is resilient to effect a snap action shift of said valve closure element when the resistance of said gas pressure is overcome.

16. A resuscitator as claimed in claim 12, in which a spring is interposed between said casing and said diaphragm to bias said valve housing toward one end of its stroke.

17. A resuscitator comprising, in combination, a gas chamber having ,gas administering means connected thereto, a wall of said chamber being 14 movable in response to changes in the diflerence of gas pressure on the two sides thereof, a nousing carried by said movable wall having a valve chamber therein, a first let for projecting gas into said gas chamber, a second jet for pumping gas out of said gas chamber, said housing having a first gas passage extending from said valve chamber to said first jet and a second gas passage extending from said valve chamber to said second let. a gas supply conduit for supplying gas to said valve chamber. a valve closure element in said valve chamber and a support therefor independent of said movable wall, said closure element closing said first gas passage responsive to outward travel oi said movable wall and said housing, and closing said second gas passage responsive to inward A travel of said wall and housing.

18. A resuscitator comprising, in combination, a casing having a gas chamber therein, a flexible diaphragm supported by said casing and comprising a wall of said gas chamber, a gas administering conduit leading from said chamber. a valve housing carried by the center of said diaphragm and having a valve chamber therein, a flexible gas supply tube connected to said housing for supplying gas to said valve chamber, a first jet for projecting gas into said gas chamber, a second jet for pumping gas out of said gas chamber. said housing having a first and second gas passage extending from said valve chamber to said first and second yet, respectively, a valve closure element in said valve chamber and an arm, supported by said casing and extending through said gas supply tube into said valve chamber, said valve closure element being supported thereon, said valve housing being movable relative to said arm, whereby said closure element will close said first gas projecting a gas into said venturi, a second jet in said second chamber for projecting a gas into said venturi, a valve for supplying a gas alternatively to said first and second jets, said first chamber having a gas inlet and outlet passage communicating with the atmosphere and an adjustable valve for regulating the rate of gas fiow through said passage, thereby to control the rate of gas flow through said venturi.

21. A resuscitator as claimed in claim 20, in which a one-way valve is provided between said first chamber and the atmosphere for permitting outlet oi gas independent of said adjustable valve.

22. A gas administering device for administering a mixture of gases, comprising, in combination, a first gas chamber, a second gas chamber having a gas administering conduit leading therefrom, a diaphragm separating said chambers, a venturi extending from said first to said second gas chamber, a jet in said first chamber for projecting a first gas into said venturi. said first chamber having a gas inlet passage for admitting a second gas thereto, and an adjustable valve for regulating the rate of gas admission through said inlet, thereby to regulate both the rate oi gas fiow and the composition of the gas mixture passing through said venturi.

some 23. A resuseitator comprising. in combination. a gas administer-inc chamber. an omen supply conduit. n as iniector and a m eiector ior in- Jectin: and ejecting as from said chamber, end a valve for alternately directing oxygen from said conduit to said iniector and said elector. a pressure responsive element tor shitting said valve to supp y as to said ejector responsive to a predetermined increase in as pressure in said :as administering chamber and to supply as to said iniector responsive to a predetermined decrease in :as pressure in said chamber. and an adjustable valve to supply air to said injector to dilute sold m pp 24. A resuscitetor as claimed in claim 28, in which said adjustable valve also iunctions as a discharge pert for controlling the rate of as discharge by said elector. whereby n richer oxygen l0 supply is led to said gas administering chamber at slower respiration speeds and a more dilute oxycen supply is provided at faster respiration speeds. 25. A resuscitator as claimed in claim 24, in which an auxiliary one-way valve is provided to accommodate part of the gas discharge from said ejector.

M. HARRY GOODNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile oi this patent:

UNITED s'rs'ms m'rszm Number Name Date 1,695,930 sohroder Dec. 18, 1928 1,896,716 McKesson Feb. 7, 1983 

